Short Throated Handi #2

[Roudy]

I was reading Quick's thread on short throats and had a question about my Target Model (38-55) but thought a new thread would be prudent.

I have only shot my own loads since getting this rifle, but had difficulty with cases sticking in the chamber from the beginning.  My loads are basically medium to low power so I know it is not the pressure that has been causing the problem.  I keep a dowel rod in the rifle case and simply poke out the case when it sticks.  Had to tweek the bullet seating/crimping to finally get the cartridges to chamber for the first loading.

The problem seems to be diminishing the more I shoot and reload so I have been thinking that the cases and chamber were "wearing in", only about 1 in 10 stick now.

Quick's thread got me to thinking that perhaps I should just trim the cases a few thousandths and maybe the problem would go away??  I'm more interested in accuracy that power levels so reducing the case capacity, ergo maximum velocity, is of no concern to me.  (don't have a chamber reamer and would prefer to not spend the money to have someone do it for me)

Anyone have similar experiences?

Roudy

[quickdtoo]

Have ya read this thread yet?

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,63539.msg384250.html#msg384250

[Roudy]

Quick,

Thanks for the information.  I did end up using my sizing die (sans decapper) to get the cartridges to chamber and have found that for subsequent reloads it has not been necessary to size the cases at all....bullets hold just fine.

I slugged the bore before I loaded any cartridges or even bought the bullet sizing die.  I was a little apprehensive at first because the largest standard bullet sizing die wouldn't be large enough to fill the grooves in the rifling.  IIRC the groove diameter was .380 and my sizing die is .379; as it turns out the bullet bumps up enough because accuracy is good and getting better the more I shoot.

Agree with several of the comments on the thread you recommended concerning the matching of the bore and chamber dimensions, they do seem to be mis-matched regardless of the 'official' statements from NEF.

All in all I love my target model and wouldn't trade or sell it.

Roudy

[quickdtoo]

I think Mike(cheatermk3) said it best, once he discovered the secret of loading for the 38-55, he doesn't shoot it much, no challenge any more, so it's not as much fun.

There's also a great link in the FAQs on loading cast bullets in the .38-55 Target.

Tim